I HAD a charming conversation with Isabella a.k.a. Nicole Garganera. She is a very pretty seven-year-old who's a Marian Rivera look-alike. She sat to my left in the huge Sugar Bowl Ballroom of the Sugarland Hotel. She gave me a stare and a broad grin.
Isabella: Mommy! Ka-guapa sang mommy ko!
Me: Thank you, dear. You okay, Pangga?
Isabella: (She looks uncomfortably warm under the strong heat emitted by bright lamps in the ballroom.) Pangita ko si mommy ko. (She looks over her shoulder.)
Me: Te, mommy mo man ako.
Isabella: Indi, ah. Ang tuod-tuod ko bala nga mommy.
Me: (I tease her.) Te, tuod-tuod mo man ko nga mommy.
Isabella: Indi ka ya tuod nga mommy.
I throw my head back in laughter. Isabella and I and a score of other people - some seated behind us, some milling around - are shooting a scene at past seven in the evening. It's part of a short film directed by Ricky Yusay for his final project for Director's Apprenticeship under Peque Gallaga at the Negros Summer Workshop.
The 12-minute Celebration works around the "coming out" theme prevalent today. Here I play the role of mom to a pre-teen boy who announces that he is gay. I voiced out my dissension to Direk Ricky because I felt that sexuality at a certain age is still pretty much ambiguous. Yet Ricky says that the film is supposed to disturb. O tempos, o mores! Oh, ye indie film makers!
While I also played mother in a previous film project, this one is more glamorous. The first done years ago had me in the role of long-suffering wife forced to leave a daughter to work in Japan. In Celebration, I'm all dolled up with poufed hair, slinky elegant dress, and the other imagined accoutrement of a high-society matron. Make-up artist Leah Tan drew lots of compliments for transforming my everyday look into one of a lady who lunches (perhaps at Sugarland Hotel.) Making movies sure is a fun way of retreating into a fantasy world.
One lovely thing about shooting at the elegant hotel and having Ricky as a director is that cast and crew were well-fed. Direk made sure we were comfortable and, despite being short on time, I never saw him harried nor lose his cool. Film making requires lots of patience and the cooperation of everyone involved. You should see how good he and Art Consultant RJ Lacson were with the kids. My first scene alone getting ready for the party needed many takes for varied reasons. And getting off the elevator had to be done again and again not because there were mistakes but Ricky and RJ were getting as many shots as they can to choose from during editing. It is meticulous work, I tell ya.
For a 12-minute film, at least an equal number in hours is required to prepare for and shoot it. Then, comes editing and piecing together the scenes, accompanying it with sounds, etc. Ricky texts me late in the evening: "N editing rm since b4 lunch." Oh, the poor dear. When passion takes over, hunger is forgotten. Let's not forget the high cost of renting equipment and also of remunerating cast and crew in one way or the other. As for me, "the other" was especially appreciated in the form of free meals at The Twist, Sugarland Hotel's exciting hip cafe. The Team Tikim in me highly recommends their light and refreshing Thai salad with papaya; the salmon platter served with salad greens and mashed potato; and the flavorful pe-cho pizza with chicken inasal topping. My helper whom I brought along to act as my PA (feeling artista gid ya!) had to push away her half-eaten plate of pancit because the serving was so huge. I'll do a movie with Ricky
anytime as long as I can chow down on such delicious meals. Should I hang a sign around my neck that says "Will act for food"?
When Ricky told me he left the final product at his hotel's front desk, I couldn't contain my excitement. What will it look like on DVD? Unfortunately, my laptop wouldn't cooperate. My friend's wouldn't, too. I credit Raymond Bayot of the Negros Museum for arranging for a viewing there. (Many thanks, Mond!). And, ta-daaah! I got to view it at least 10 times. My friends at the museum wanted to see the film again and again. And, modesty aside, the film was veeerrrry good. Kudos to Ricky for a job splendidly done! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw how the film actually looked like. It was magical how our hodge-podge of scenes and takes and performances were woven congruently into one fantastic work of art. Sorry for bragging, but I'm over the moon for being part of the film. Dino Cajili, who played my brother, is a veteran and he was so into his role as a supportive family member (not to mention the pool scene shot at his house where he sat beside it like a true don). His nephew Micah Anton Cajili did very well as my son. His initial nonchalance was actually the thing that delivered the surprise factor. Nicole was really charming and was a natural. Acting is in her genes since she's Tanya Lopez' niece.
Special mention goes to Care Catahuran and Yummy Maloloy-on of Masskara Theatre Ensemble who played the yayas; Bernard Arellano, Tanya Lopez (Production Coordinator), Ricky's mentors RJ Lacson and, of course, the Peque Gallaga. Tata Ihvonie Sevilleno and Diane Galvan were such dears for helping out in the production. I happened to be with seasoned consultants. I had some friends over to shoot the last scene at the party: Maricar Dabao, Mary Lecias, Marides Zayco, Lizel Villaruel, and Beth. Many, many thanks, guys. The camera men were quiet and efficient and such nice guys that while getting dressed Ricky had to ask me if I'd like to use the bathroom for privacy. Haha. I was so comfortable with having them around that I almost stripped in front of them. Hmmm, maybe my next role will be very interesting.
Congratulations to Direk Ricky Yusay and all the nominations Celebration garnered at this year's Crystal Piaya Awards: Best Director, Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. Till the next Negros Summer Workshop and Crystal Piaya Awards!